Plant for processing bulky masses, especially pelletized materials in autoclaves

ABSTRACT

A plant for processing bulky masses in autoclaves including two or more autoclaves in which the autoclaves are arranged in pairs in which the autoclaves of the same pair are arranged with their charging openings, which can be closed, facing each other and spaced from each other by a distance leaving sufficient space for a charging container to be inserted into either of the two autoclaves of the pair considered, so that after filling the charging container with bulky mass and inserting it into the one autoclave, a further container can be placed into said space for filling and subsequent insertion into the other autoclave.

United States Patent I Oldberg [54] PLANT FOR PROCESSING BULKY MASSES, ESPECIALLY PELLETIZED MATERIALS IN AUTOCLAVES [72] Inventor: John Erik Edward Oldberg, Sala,

Sweden [73] Assignee: Sala Ma'skinfabriks Aktiebolag,

Sala, Sweden [22] Filed: Nov. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 91,634

30 Foreign Application Priority new Dec. 3, 1969 Sweden ..l6,665

[52] US. Cl. ..214/18 R, 214/42, 214/52 C [51] Int. Cl ..F27d 3/00 [58] Field of Search ..2l4/18 R, 41, 42 R, 52 C [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Waldeck ..214/18 R X 1 Sept. 5, 1972 1,424,871 8/1922 Best ..2l4/52C 1,617,490 2/1927 Knox ..2l4/4lX Primary Examiner-Robert G. Sheridan Attorney-Young & Thompson [57] ABSTRACT A plant for processing bulky masses in autoclaves including two or more autoclaves in which the autoclaves are arranged in pairs in which the autoclaves of the same pair are arranged with their charging openings, which can be closed, facing each other and spaced from each other by a distance leaving sufficient space for a charging container to be inserted into either of the two autoclaves of the pair considered, so that after filling the charging container with bulky mass and inserting it into the oneautoclave, a further container can be placed into said space for filling and subsequent insertion into the other autoclave.

6Claims, 7DrawingFigures Painted Sept. 5, 1912 3,688,925

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Paulina Sept. 5, m2

7 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR. JoH/v fF/k fan .920 04 @5526 Patented Sept. 5, 1912 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVEN TOR.

Joan fem [ow/7x0 04 035% 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 1N VENTOR.

' Jo /v fie/K fwmmo 1 05566 PLANT FOR PROCESSING BULKY MASSES, ESPECIALLY PELLETIZED MATERIALS IN AUTOCLAVES This invention concerns a plant for processing bulky masses, especially pelletized or otherwise divided materials in two or more autoclaves.

The purpose of the invention is principally to eliminate the drawbacks connected with such devices which consist of small carriaging units to be switched by means of traversing cranes, turntables or the like in a shunting yard arranged in front of a row of autoclaves. The disadvantages of such devices are that they demand much space and cause great losses of time because of the long transport distances. The space requirements as well as the necessary building volume can be considerably reduced by the invention. A further purpose of the invention is such an arrangement of the autoclaves that they can be charged and discharged in very short times, essentially because of the fact that the transporting distances for the material to be charged into the autoclaves and for the processed goods discharged from them can be reduced to a minimum.

It is an essentially characterizing feature of the invention that the autoclaves are arranged in pairs or groups in each of which the autoclaves are arranged with their charging and discharging openings which can be closed and opened facing each other and spaced from each other, said space being dimensioned to receive a charging container which can be introduced into either of the autoclaves of the pair in question so that after filling one charging container with bulky mass and inserting it into one autoclave, a further container can be placed into the space, be filled with mass and inserted into the other autoclave of the pair in question. By arranging the autoclaves in groups of two or in pairs with the charging openings facing each other and by providing a charging container between the autoclaves, the distances which the material has to be transported for its charging into and discharging from the autoclaves can be considerably reduced as was the purpose of the invention.

The feeding of the bulky mass into the charging container and the emptying of said container from processed goods can be greatly facilitated if the container is open at its top to permit its filling by means of a feeding conveyor and if the container can be inserted in a reversing device provided for turning the container upside down, so that the opening is turned downwards and the material, after having processed in the autoclave and discharged therefrom, can be emptied onto an underlying removing conveyor.

The containers can be filled rationally and economically within short times if the plant comprises a conveying device for the continuous filling of each container and if this device has a feeding conveyor arranged to fill the container during its insertion into the autoclave concerned beginning at the forward introducing end and further towards the rear end of the container until the container is filled.

A method for processing bulky materials by using the plant described according to the invention is mainly characterized by the sequence of following procedures: filling a first container to be introduced into one of two opposed autoclaves with bulky mass by means of a feeding conveyor simultaneously as the container is introduced into said one autoclave; introducing during the processing of the material in said one autoclave a second container into the other autoclave while simultaneously filling said second container; extracting said first container from said one autoclave after completed processing therein and turning it upside down to direct its top opening downwards and empty the container; returning said first container after emptying and refilling it during its introduction in the same autoclave; and extracting the second container from said other autoclave and handling it in the same manner as the first one. The filling of the container is preferably commenced at its bottom near the end to be first introduced into the autoclave by placing the output end of the feeding conveyor near said bottom, and thereafter progressively lifting said output end during the introduction of the container in the autoclave, so that the material is brought to slide or roll according to its angle-of repose while being transported into the autoclave by means of the container.

Further features of the invention will become clear I from the following description of an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an autoclave processing plant with two groups of autoclaves arranged in pairs facing each other.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partly in section, of the device according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a charging container placed in front of the opening of an autoclave.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing an autoclave and a charging container during the introduction of the latter into the autoclave.

FIG. 5 shows on a larger scale a cross sectional view of a charging container in the opened. state for filling the same with bulky material.

FIG. 6 shows in a similar manner as FIG. 5 a charging container turned with its opening downwards for emptying the material onto a removing conveyor.

FIG. 7 shows on a reduced scale the entire plant in a side view, sectioned in part, at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the containers.

The drawings show a plant with two pairs or groups of autoclaves A, B, and C, D, respectively, in which the autoclaves of each group are placed with their charging openings facing each other. Said openings can be closed by lids la, lb, 10 and 1d, respectively. The autoclaves are shown in the drawings as horizontal, cylindrical containers and have their ends facing each other spaced from each other, leaving sufficient space for charging containers and turning devices for them. FIG. 1 shows a charging container 2 positioned between the autoclaves A and B within a turning device 3. In the space between the autoclaves C and C, only a turning device 3' is shown in FIG. 1, the charging container being admitted in this case to be enclosed in either of the autoclaves C or D. The plant also comprises con-- veyor means for the continuous filling of each container, said conveying means comprising a feed conveyor 4 adapted to fill the container while on its way into the autoclave concerned. The material is fed to the feed conveyor by a transverse conveyor 5, the frame of which is connected with the frame of the feed conveyor 4 in such a manner that the conveying means can be displaced from a position between two autoclaves, e.g. A and B, to a position between the two other autoclaves, e.g. C and D.

Each container 2 runs by means of a number of wheel pairs 6 on rails 7 which at the ends near the openings of the autoclaves are aligned with rail portions mounted on folding bridges. FIG. 2 shows a raised bridge 8 adjacent the autoclave A and a lowered bridge 8 adjacent the autoclave B. In the lowered position, the bridge and its rail portions permit the container to run on its wheels into the autoclave after opening the lid thereof, e.g. lb, on the right hand half of FIG. 2.

The turning devices 3 consist of a trellis work of essentially cylindrical shape havinga number-of circular rails 9 surrounding the same by which the device is supported on rollers 10, 11 mounted in fixed bearings 12, 13 supported by brackets 14, 15. These are formed on the walls of a collecting chute 16 located beneath the turning device. This chute has a downwards opening outlet 17 from which the emptied, processed material is collected on a removing conveyor 18 from which it is further led off by conveyors 19 and 20 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). The annular rails 9 can be opened at their top portions as shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the rails forming an arcuate section 21 which is rotatable about an axis 22 and which can be swung into an open position by means of a hydraulic cylinder 23. When the arcuate section 21 is closed so that the annular rail 9 forms a closed ring, the turning device including a charging container enclosed therein can be turned about its longitudinal axis, the annular rails 9 thereby running on the rollers 10, 11. FIG. shows the turning device with a charging container 2 enclosed therein, which container is filled with material and has its opening turned upwards. FIG. 6 shows the same container after having been turned halt a revolution around itslongitudinal axis so as to turn the opening downwards and to let the material fall down into the chute 16.

The feed conveyor 4 has folding end portions 24, 25 provided to facilitate the feeding of the material down into the charging container 2. FIG. 3 shows a container 2 in centered position below the conveyor 4, the forward end portion 25 thereof being lowered so that its lower end is situated within the end of the container situated nearest the autoclave D and near the bottom thereof so that the material can be deposited onto the bottom of the container without falling down thereon from any height. This provides a careful handling of the material which is of great importance especially if the material is sensible to shocks and easily breakable. The filling of the container 2 is performed during the insertion of the containerinto the autoclave. During this procedure, the folding end portion 25 of the conveyor is successively hoisted to permit the container to be filled up to its entire height, and the material to roll or slide down according to its own angle of rest. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, FIG. 3 showing the container in front of the autoclave and FIG. 4 showing the container inserted by about half its length into the autoclave and filled with material up to its major part.

The plant described can be used in different manners. An especially advantageous process is the followmg: g

A container 2 intended to be inserted into one B of the two autoclaves A, B facing each other is filled with material by means of the feed conveyor 4 while being moved into the autoclave. After closing the lid of said autoclave, the material therein is processed while another container is inserted into the second autoclave A while being simultaneously filled with material to be processed within that autoclave. After complete processing in the first autoclave B, the container is extracted therefrom and turned upside down so as to turn its upper opening downwards and to empty the container. The container is thereafter turned right again andfilled with new material while being inserted into the same autoclave. Thereafter the container within the second autoclave A is extracted and handled in the same manner as the first one. This process is particularly adapted when there are only two autoclaves facing each other. When there are four autoclaves A, B, C, D as in the example illustrated in the drawings, a processing cycle is performed in which the material is processed within the autoclave C while the autoclave B is being filled. At the end of the filling procedure, the container in the autoclave C of the autoclave group C, D is extracted, itbeing admitted that the processing of the material therein has been completed. When this container has reached its position entirely outside the autoclave and within the turning device 3' situated between both autoclaves C and D, the container is turned upside down so that the material falls down into the underlying chute 16. The turning device thereafter returns the container to its filling position and the rail rings 9 are opened as shown in FIG. 5, in which position the container is readyfor receiving new material from the feed conveyor which has been placed in its position above the container concerned. By alternating between the autoclaves A, B, C, D in a determined sequence wherein the volume of the material in the containers and the processing periods are adjusted to pennit a continuous process, the optimal utilization of the autoclaves is obtained while reducing the loss of time to a minimum.

What I claim is:

l. A plant for processing bulky masses in autoclaves comprising at least one pair of autoclaves having charging openings that face each other in spaced relation to.

each other, at least two charging containers for said autoclaves, means supporting said charging containers for movement relative to each other into one or the other of said autoclaves, the distance between said charging openings being greater than the length of a said charging container but less than twice the length of a said charging container when said charging container is disposed between said autoclaves.

2. A plant as claimed in claim 1, said containers being open at their top to permit their filling, feed conveyor means for filling said containers, and a turning device to turn the container upside down with the opening downward for emptying processed material after removal of the container from a said autoclave.

3. A plant as claimed in claim 1, and conveyor means for continuously filling each container, said conveyor means comprising a feed conveyor for filling the container while the container enters the autoclave, said containers being elongated and said feed conveyor distributing material along the length of the container during said filling.

4. A plant as claimed in claim 3, said feed conveyor having a vertically swinging end portion movable vertically within the containers.

5. A plant as claimed in claim 3, said feed conveyor comprising an endless belt conveyor having vertically swinging portions at both ends thereof for filling containers moving in either direction into said autoclaves.

6. A plant as claimed in claim 1, there being at least two pairs of said facing autoclaves, each autoclave being of horizontal cylindrical shape, the autoclaves of each pair being in alignment with each other, said containers being elongated in the directions of their respective autoclaves, conveyor means common to the containers for feeding material to the containers, said conveyor means comprising a feed conveyor to deposit material in the containers and a belt conveyor to convey material to the feed conveyor, said conveyors having supporting frames connected to each other and movable conjointly in the lengthwise direction of one conveyor so that the other conveyor can be moved from a position above a container which is between the autoclaves of one said pair to a position above a container between the autoclaves of another said pair. 

1. A plant for processing bulky masses in autoclaves comprising at least one pair of autoclaves having charging openings that face each other in spaced relation to each other, at least two charging containers for said autoclaves, means supporting said charging containers for movement relative to each other into one or the other of said autoclaves, the distance between said charging openings being greater than the length of a said charging container but less than twice the length of a said charging container when said charging container is disposed between said autoclaves.
 2. A plant as claimed in claim 1, said containers being open at their top to permit their filling, feed conveyor means for filling said containers, and a turning device to turn the container upside down with the opening downward for emptying processed material after removal of the container from a said autoclave.
 3. A plant as claimed in claim 1, and conveyor means for continuously filling each container, said conveyor means comprising a feed conveyor for filling the container while the container enters the autoclave, said containers being elongated and said feed conveyor distributing material along the length of the container during said filling.
 4. A plant as claimed in claim 3, said feed conveyor having a vertically swinging end portion movable vertically within the containers.
 5. A plant as claimed in claim 3, said feed conveyor comprising an endless belt conveyor having vertically swinging portions at both ends thereof for filling containers moving in either direction into said autoclaves.
 6. A plant as claimed in claim 1, there being at least two pairs of said facing autoclaves, each autoclave being of horizontal cylindrical shape, the autoclaves of each pair being in alignment with each other, said containers being elongated in the directions of their respective autoclaves, conveyor means common to the containers for feeding material to the containers, said conveyor means comprising a feed conveyor to deposit material in the containers and a belt conveyor to convey material to the feed conveyor, said conveyors having supporting frames connected to each other and movable conjointly in the lengthwise direction of one conveyor so that the other conveyor can be moved from a position above a container which is between the autoclaves of one said pair to a position above a container between the autoclaves of another said pair. 